Sorry about the delay with the next interview, I'm absolutely positive it'll be worth the wait though as it's none other than Flyinfree. I understand Britney's planning on hiring FF to represent her in court in future to try and make her look like the sane one
Here is is
Name: Todd Reese
Age: 39
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 184 lbs
Occupation: Sales
Marital status: Married
Years training: on and off. - Currently about 10 months
Favorite TV show & film - TV- House, Film - Tombstone
First off, how did your race go yesterday?
super- see my log for details
http://training.fitness.com/journal/performance-not-enough-25081.html
What first gave you the inspiration to start your Ironman training? Ironman came as a result of my interest in Triathlons. My interest in Triathlon came from Sparrow making the most of my swim rehabilitation efforts. I was rehabbin from a skydiving accident and thought swimming was boring and stupid, and she showed me that it could have value. That led me to triathlons, and ultimately exposed me to the Ironman- it is soooo much more than an event. believe that.
Do you ever have moments of weakness and wonder why you put yourself through such a grueling training schedule? If so, how do you push past those mental barriers?
Moments of weakness- yes I do. Many times I think of this place, the community here at fitness.com, and it helps get me thru. Many times I like to keep going past any thought discouragement. I do that by utilizing my internal conversations and will comment to myself- "that's nice that you don't feel like doing this, and that you are coming up with a number of reasons why WE shouldn't continue, but how about this? For now I am gong to keep going and lets see what you do with that. Will we fall, pass out, throw up, what will be your first breaking point?" I realize it is my strong concience talking to my inherantly lazy sub-concience, and I call it out to the edge. Sometimes WE go too far and get hurt.
For the why I am putting myself thru the torture- I really don't have many issues with that. The adventure is not over. Once I am IRONMAN, and I think of doing another, I may have that issue.
What has been the biggest obstacle youʼve ever hit in your training and how did you overcome it?
My muscle mass and weight. I gave it up. I like having big biceps, I like having a thick look. I will end up looking like some panty waist fitness model as a result of this ironman thing. But, it is ok because I have learned enough to know- that IRONMAN is one tough dude, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I will have that, and add the mass back on later.
What impact has your training had on your family?
IT has set a good example.
Do they encourage you or have the demands on your time isolated you from them in any way?
They encourage me. After my last skydiving accident they were worried about my spirit being broke. You know, the I am bigger than life, all out, free to be, spirit. Today it is alive again due to this recovery. My wife and son just did their first 5K. My oldest daughter and wife have volunteered at a few races. We are quickly becoming a fitness family.
On that occasion that your parachute didnʼt open and you fell straight to the ground, what was your last thought before you hit the ground knowing you were a certain dead man?
In February of 1997 (if this is the one you mean) I was knocked out due to the G-forces created in a violent spin, caused by 'line over' in a malfunction opening. I woke up standin on the ground with a reserve canaopy over head. BUT- prior to goin unconcience I do remember thinking, "I am going in." We, extreme athletes use that term because we do not know what is behind deaths door, so we teeat it as an adventure that we can accept and be excited about. another story for another day.
Did your near death experience change your life philosophy?
at that time no. But this last year, my incident, hard landing did. Yes it did. i had fullty accepted death, but i had never considered being crippled. SO, I had to make a decision. Do i only play life or death games, or do I also accept the potential of crippled living. I'm all set with both, and i believe God will provide the means. I am very good at the "edge" and keeping my head about me. I believe I will die on the edge. It is my calling. BUT, that brings with it a responsibility. I can not "go in" on purpose.
In the past I have played games with jumping- like ride a freefall all the way until my safety cypress fired and deployed the reserve (about 900 feet- you can hear the dogs barking). After nearly dieing, and nearly bneing crippled last year, I realize "that behavior" is stupid. There is a big difference between being stupid, and being advanced in dumb
I know youʼre a religious man, has your faith inspired you in any way in your fitness mission?
Spritual yes, religious no! Don't make me prove the difference. hhehehehe
My spirituality has helped -Yes. My first triathlon I had a terrible swim. It was just me and God. My 70.3 Ironman I paniced in the water, and it was just me and God. This last Sunday I ran a race far beyond my ability- and I thank God. God is the master, and I am the benefactor. It is only by God's Grace that I am alive.
As most people on this site will be aware now, youʼve had a colourful past which has included drug abuse and prison. Was there a turning point which turned your life back in the right direction?
My life was never in the right direction. I was a detox baby. I gave my life to Christ on May 21, 1992. Since then my spiritual journey has brought me out of turmoil. Religion in most cases has given me a bad taste in my mouth. Coming from the streets and a very manipulative hardcore background, the religious leader cult/games are too obvious. But there is no denying that when I went forward and claimed Christ as my savior, and accepted that He paid the ultimate price so that I could come to the Creator and have a relationship, I changed. Something that day within me, changed, and I received the gift of The Holy Spirit. BUT- 15 years later I will tell you- MAN, his churches, and religion, have NOT contributed to that wonderful change. And I have continued to believe in spite of religion. This whole battle has made lables very repelling to me, and i have developed a bit of irreverance. Spirituality is for people who have been in hell, and religion is for people who are afraid of going there.
On a lighter note, what do you listen to on your Ipod when you run?
Trance, electronica, hard hitting beats, some gospel, some zen water stuff, but mostly hard hitting no lyric, club euro stuff.
If you could go back in time and meet yourself at the age of 18 and were allowed to give one piece of advice, what would it be?
At 18, talking to myself, my advice would have been "Dude, stop fighting for the idea that supremacy/purity is racial in nature."
What are your training goals?
ONLY one- IRONMAN! it is a hefty goal in deed. i would like to get it done within the 13th hour, but as long as it is prior to the course closing. That is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run within 17 hours. I would also like to compete in the Clearwater world championship 70.3 Ironman event
Once youʼve hit the peaks of Ironman competition will that be it for you or will you move onto a different challenge?
I have some interests in many different 24 hour races. I like the idea of a 100 mile run. I will dedicate more time to my skydiving, and would like to be in a freefall world record effort. Climbing is of interest to me. I will jump the Eiger in Switzerland (would have been this year- but Ironman took priority). I actually have lots of base jumps on my list.
Other than your own, whose journal do you enjoy reading most on fitness.com? I didn't realize anybody else had a journal. Is there anybody besides me? hahahaha
Which member has helped you the most since joining the site?
hmmmm, too dynamic if a topic to say one is greater than another. As an example- Naenae gave my wife some attention that brought her into a fitness realm. That has affected my life majorly. Karky made a comment on the HIFFT thread (it had me and my son doing stuff with pics) and it made my kid feel really good. he is now participating in event- so that impacted a younger life than mine. it's the little things, and the big ones. Like Derwyddon teaching me olympic lifts. Georgen fixing that pinch that was messign me up. You with the Sodium. Chillen with the whole wheat pita and peanut butter, and quotes. Sparrow being a daily insane training partner. Greg giving me a chance to help. G8r80 showing me about riding, meeting up with me. Oh my- all the way back to Stroutman whom told me about ART treatment. What about Phate and his youth, NBS, or that one dude that popped in about Parkour and he let me share some serious spiritual beliefs about "the way"..... too much to tell. SO- it is the nutrition, health, fitness, training, companionship, or the effect on my family that matters the most? Oh, or maybe it is Spicey, whome created the "need" for me to evaluate "what" I was really doing here. hmmmmmm IT IS THE PLACE AS A COMMUNITY that has helped me the most. For the sake of argument- CCR, you have helped me the most because you have given me this chance.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
whatever it is called when you can just show up someplace. I'd like to snap be in N.Cal for a run, then bang in Carolina to lift, or kapowee and be in Canada to slap focs around eh! yep Teleportation for me
Whatʼs the most embarrassing thing thatʼs ever happened to you in your life?
um..... ok- here it is - At the time I was "proud;" but my most embarrassing thing is being convicted of a racial hate crime.
oh, and one time I skipped school, was in my dad's lazyboy chair jerking off, and he came home early from work and caught me. I was looking at MTV. No place to run, and no place to hide. He finally turned around and walked out of the house.
